Heartland ERP gantries

A letter to the forum, published on 28 Jan 2008:

"Recently, more ERP gantries were built, some in the heartland.

The reason these gantries were built is that the roads they are built on lead to the city. These gantries will be turned on as necessary to ensure these roads maintain optimal traffic flow.

ERP is used on expressways to redirect traffic away from the expressways during peak hours. Drivers who do not wish to pay ERP to use the expressways during peak hours must find an alternative route to the city, such as through the heartland, or take public transport.

Once the new gantries are switched on, drivers will have to pay to get to the city whether they use the expressways or go through the heartland.

Will such a move actually redirect traffic back to the expressways?

If drivers have to pay ERP anyway, why should they pay to use a slower route through the heartland if paying a bit more on the expressway gets them there faster?"